Hefty fines on Brodie's tormenters warn bullies

Steve Butcher

EMPLOYERS, unions and WorkSafe were united yesterday in their determination for the death of Brodie Panlock to be the turning point in eradicating workplace bullying. At Brodie's old high school, learning from her fate is a process that has already started.

In a new year 10 health course, students at Ringwood Secondary College will ''discuss and learn what constitutes a healthy and unhealthy relationship'', said teacher Carolyn Cusworth, who added how sad it was that the confidence of the outspoken schoolgirl she knew had been undermined and destroyed.

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It is hoped that Brodie's case will help teach any vulnerable female students to leave unhealthy situations, and help boys understand their behaviour and its consequences.

Brodie was 19 when she died in September 2006 after jumping from a building. A coroner later found that she felt an ''unbearable level of humiliation'' from her relationship with colleague Nicholas Smallwood, head waiter at Cafe Vamp in Hawthorn, where she was a waitress and sandwich hand.

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A coroner heard at Brodie's inquest that Smallwood and waiter Rhys MacAlpine were ''relentless in their efforts to demean her''.

Smallwood, 26, MacAlpine, 28, and Gabriel Toomey, 23, a chef, were yesterday convicted and fined a total of $85,000 on charges of failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of persons, including Brodie. Cafe owner Marc Da Cruz, 43, and his company Map Foundation were convicted and fined a total of $250,000 on charges that included failing to provide and maintain a safe working environment.

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The penalties imposed by magistrate Peter Lauritsen, who described the ''persistent and vicious behaviour'' towards Brodie as the most serious case of bullying, are among the highest imposed on individuals under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

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Stan Krpan, acting executive director of WorkSafe Victoria, said the decision sent a message that such behaviour should not be tolerated. ''We are hoping it creates a turning point in relation to bullying at the workplace.''

Brodie, emotionally vulnerable and the cafe's youngest employee, was called by Smallwood and MacAlpine fat, stupid, ugly and a whore, and it ''messed with Brodie's head a lot''.

After a first suicide attempt, Smallwood taunted her that ''you can't even kill yourself properly'' and he and MacAlpine mocked her when she found Ratsak in her bag.

All expressed regret for their behaviour last week in court.

Brodie's mother, Rae Panlock, told The Age that ''all you can hope for out of this is that it puts some compassion into people''. ''It's made me aware there are a lot more people who need … sometimes a kind word here or there in the workplace.''

Ms Cusworth hopes that Brodie's story will ''have some influence on our students into the future and … assist those vulnerable girls to 'get out' of unhealthy situations''.

For help or information visit beyond blue.org.au, call Suicide Helpline Victoria on 1300 651 251, or Lifeline on 131 114.